The Biotech Startups Podcast 🧬Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Fails - How Context Creates Success | Michael Newton (Part 2/4)
Aug 21, 2025
36:43
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"A true superpower is being able to ask for help. Always... It amazes me how responsive people will be to that."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton recounts his unconventional journey from Dartmouth to Wall Street, revealing how lessons learned in private equity—and the challenges of being a generalist—ultimately led him to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School.
He reflects on bold career decisions, the power of mentorship, and the importance of continuous learning, offering listeners an inside perspective on early ambition in New York City and how authentic, context-driven leadership shapes successful teams in biotech and beyond.
Key topics covered:
- Choosing the Road Less Traveled: Breaking into private equity without the usual path
- Mentorship & “Baptism by Fire”: Surviving and thriving under high-pressure guidance
- Breadth vs. Depth: Navigating careers as a generalist or specialist
- Contextual Leadership: Adapting your leadership style for each person
- The Power of Community: Building networks that fuel personal and professional growth
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Subscribe to the Podcast:
Find our guest, Michael Newton, at these links:
Website: http://www.qorium.com/
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:
Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:
Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Charlie%27s_Almanack
(HBS) case on SodaStream: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=64768
HBS case on Cranberry Manufacturing: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54704
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Thomas H. Lee Partners: https://thl.com/
JPMorgan: https://www.jpmorganchase.com/
American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/
Mike Foote: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdfoote/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:40 Bypassing Traditional Recruiting for Private Equity
03:12 Decision Point: Nonprofit vs. Finance Career
03:55 Moving Back to NYC and Starting Finance Career
05:42 First Private Equity Role: Challenges and Learning
08:04 Working with Harvey Golub at TH Lee
10:25 Joining Kubera Partners: Fund Spin-out and Industry Lessons
13:28 The Power of Asking for Help in Early Career
15:52 Generalist vs. Specialist: Leadership and Team Management
21:57 Deciding to Pursue an MBA at HBS
25:06 HBS Highlights: Classes, Professors, and Case Method
31:29 Mentorship, Environment, and Capitalizing on Unique Opportunities
35:06 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.